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Interactions Between Morel Cultivation, Soil Microbes, and Mineral Nutrients: Impacts and Mechanisms

Summary

This study examined how growing morel mushrooms affects the soil they’re planted in. Researchers found that different morel species had different effects on soil bacteria and fungi, with some species dramatically reducing the variety of fungi present. The study also discovered that morel growth depletes certain nutrients like boron while accumulating calcium, and that calcium levels are closely linked to how well morels grow.

Background

Morel mushrooms (Morchella spp.) are valuable edible fungi with nutritional and medicinal benefits, but their cultivation significantly impacts soil ecosystems. Understanding how different morel species affect soil microbiota and mineral nutrients remains poorly characterized despite extensive cultivation research.

Objective

This study systematically evaluated six Morchella species to determine their species-specific impacts on soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and mineral nutrient levels, and to elucidate correlations among soil microbes, minerals, and morel productivity.

Results

Yield varied significantly among species (M. sextelata > M. exuberans > M. eximia > M. importuna > Mel-13 > Mel-21). Cultivation reduced soil NO₃⁻-N levels particularly in M. eximia and Mel-13 (40-50% decrease). Fungal communities showed greater sensitivity than bacterial communities, with reduced alpha diversity in high-yield species and significant Ascomycota depletion coupled with Mortierellomycota enrichment. Exchangeable calcium emerged as a key yield correlate positively associated with fungal diversity.

Conclusion

Morel cultivation exerts profound species-specific impacts on soil ecosystems, particularly on fungal communities and mineral nutrients through nutrient competition and mineral-mediated regulation. Calcium acts as a key modulator of fungal community structure, and selection of optimized species like M. eximia combined with targeted soil management could improve cultivation sustainability and yield.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Field Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof11060405; PMID: 40558918; PMCID: PMC12193994
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